Major Ruling on Band Council Elections

A Federal Court has ruled First Nations members living off the reserve
can run in band council elections.
The court struck down an election provision in the Indian Act that
required band members to reside on-reserve saying it violates part of the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The court challenge was initiated by eight members of Gull Bay in
northwestern ontario.
The ruling will affect about 655 bands across Canada which hold
elections under Indian Act regulations and band custom codes.